Martin Jol backs off talk on Clint Dempsey

Fulham manager Martin Jol on Saturday said his statement a day ealier that Clint Dempsey was refusing to play was "probably a bit harsh."

Dempsey, Fulham's American midfielder who scored 23 goals last season, did not play in Saturday's 5-0 win over Norwich. He is seeking a move to a Champions League club, with Liverpool having showing interest.

"To say he refused to play is probably a bit harsh, but he wanted to move and if you want to move, you don't want to take risks so you don't want to play in case you get an injury," Jol said Saturday. "So for me that was a very awkward situation and it was for him as well."

Jol launched a furious attack on Liverpool on Friday for failing to follow up its initial interest in Dempsey with a firm bid for the player. Jol said Friday that it was "impossible" for Dempsey to remain at Craven Cottage, but he now seems open to the possibility of Dempsey staying.

"There is nothing on the table from Liverpool," he said. "Maybe Clint knows more than us but we feel he should stay if there is no other bid."